Hi John
I'm planning my first solo Spain/Portugal 'expedition' starting at the beginning of May for 4 or 5 weeks.. Nothing set in stone yet, other than visiting Lisbon and getting a few days sailing in Gibralta.
I am planning on getting the ferry across to Santander.
I'd be keen to discuss your route nearer the date and arrange to meet up for some of the time if possible.
Thanks
Mike
:scooter:
Summer will soon be here!!!

Hi Mike.


Can I just say hold off with the booking on the Santander ferry. I know a lot of people use it. But riding down through France can save you a lot over the ferry. I make my way down to Portugal twice a year. Never used the Santander ferry due to cost. To stop off in Lisbon I'm easy. That would mean catching the ferry in Dover on the 11 of May. Two night's on the road to get there, and an extra night in Lisbon. I can't see why not.
John933

That's a bloody funny way to cross Spain - you'd be better off on Easyjet!

Seriously, that coastal motorway is probably the worst section of road in Europe, certainly in Spain. Congested, mindlessly boring scenery wise and hideously expensive - bikes pay the same till as cars - and unsafe, at least some of the urban myths about gangs preying on hapless tourists at service stations is true!

OK, if you just want¡ng to get to your villa in faro in a hurry - back to the Easyjet/bike rental option? - then just ride right through the middle: crossing into Spain at the Somport Pass to Sabiñánigo and Huesca and the you're on almost empty motorway all the way down via Zaragoza to Teruel and beyond - all free - from where you can pick up the rest of your route from somewhere like Utiel.

BTW - is there anything really special about Faro? I've never had a good experience in Portugal but I'm the sort that say's 'Never say Die!' and Mrs S and I keep promising each other a winter in the sun - or rather away from the intense cold that we 'enjoy' living in the Pyrenees :palm:

Regs

Simon

I can't beleive anyone on a bike would cross Spain on a motorcycle using main roads / motorways, unless they are a slave to their satnav. I have been crossing Spain to Portugal by bike almost every year since the 1980s. Spanish country roads are empty and many of them are amongst the best biking roads in Europe, for scenery and for the ride. The main roads on the other hand are often packed with trucks, straight as an arrow and BORING.
Portugal is also a lovely country, but the rural roads are slow and twisty, at least they are in the centre, which is the part I know best. But that presents you with the opportunity to stop off at a cafe, since it is a nation of little cafes and just watch the world go by.